In this empowering picture book perfect for young feminists, a gutsy baseball-playing girl and her bricklaying mom celebrate when love and hard work triumph over nerves. A young pitcher steps up to the plate.
A hardworking mom interviews for her biggest job yet.
Girls and women aren't always welcome in the worlds of baseball and bricklaying. But with practice, the right gear, and a whole lot of determination, this intrepid mom and daughter thrive under pressure. Readers get to see their parallel narratives unfold in tandem, coming together at the end for a sweet reward: ice cream!
With fun, punchy writing and radiant illustrations, this touching story will be a hit for budding activists, kids who love sports, and the moms who cheer them on.
An American Library Association Notable Children’s BookA Chicago Public Library Best Book of the YearA Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Book
Nikki Tate was born in Birmingham, England, and spent her childhood roaming the globe. She is the author of more than three dozen books for children. Over the years, she's worked as a book reviewer, a bookseller, a professional storyteller, and a farmer. Nikki's home base is in the Rocky Mountains, but she loves to travel, particularly if she can find a rock to climb or an ocean to sail.
Katie Kath graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with an MFA in illustration. Some of the books she's illustrated for children include the Nora Notebooks series, by Claudia Mills. Her books have been recognized by folks like the Bank Street College of Education, the New York Public Library, the Children's Book Council, and the Junior Library Guild. Katie's home base is in North Carolina, where she plays with her dog and cat, draws cartoons, and counts the days until Christmas.
★ "The graphic-novel illustration style, in which windows of alternating action move the storyline forward, adds to the feeling that this duo of everyday heroines is unstoppable. A celebration of female perseverance and success: brava!"—
Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review ★ "In this rhythmic celebration of family and self-reliance, a mother and daughter embark from their shared home into parallel story arcs . . . This picture book unobtrusively featuring women in nontraditional roles empowers, as does its message of teamwork and support."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "The spare narration perfectly complements Kath’s rhythmic watercolor panels, and the independence and mutual support between tattooed mom with her shaved and curly blond hair, and bronze-skinned, long-haired daughter shines through every scene. Kids who gravitate toward Bob Graham’s picture books, with their tight-knit, gently norm-tweaking families, will feel right at home."
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books "This family is real. Red-haired, freckled mom has tattoos and is worrying over meals and bills, but she also is a successful businessperson and skilled tradeswoman. The daughter, of light-brown skin and hair, does her chores and her homework and then is ready to step up to the mound and pitch at Saturday’s game. The watercolor-and pastel illustrations depict the concurrent story lines through panels, contrasting the two characters in a humorous and effective way."
—Booklist "With only a few descriptive words displayed on each page, the illustrations truly carry this story. Loose watercolor and pastel panels depict both characters' determination, commitment, perseverance, and love for their respective activities.
—School Library Connection"What’s touched on in the text is made specific in Kath’s watercolor and pastel illustrations. . . . . Details such as the umpire’s bubblegum bubble as our ballplayer prepares her pitch, or Mom’s colorful arm tattoo, add comfort and, for many, familiarity to this welcome and unconventional family story."
—The Horn Book
